Spartans Eliminated by Blazers in Day Three of Regional Play

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 6 University of Tampa softball team split the doubleheader against Valdosta State, falling one game short of advancing to the South Regional Championship.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Game One Final: No. 6 Tampa Spartans 3 , Valdosta St. Blazers  2

Game Two Final: Valdosta St. Blazers 2 , No. 6 Tampa Spartans 0

Records: No.6 Tampa Spartans (38-13, SSC 23-7), Valdosta St. Blazers (37-12, GSC 21-5)

Location: Naimoli Field | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa trail Valdosta St. 13-34 in head-to-head matchups. Their last matchup was Friday, March 13 with the Blazers taking the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME ONE:

Top 1st

Mary Beth Feldman struggled out of the gate early. Blazers' Macera singled down the right field line allowing her teammates, Clegg and Hill to score | 2-0 (Blazers). 

Bottom 4th

After a silent three innings, the Spartans retaliated to the runs scored by Valdosta St. Stephanie Balmer got the momentum going with an RBI double to left center, allowing Lexie Chevalier to score | 2-1 (Blazers). With a runner on third, Lauren Fantone was able to reach first base on an error, which allowed Emalee Jansen, who was at third to tie up the game at two | 2-2.

Bottom 5th

With Mariah Galhouse in scoring position, this allowed Alexa Russo to take advantage of the Blazer's defense. Russo, doubled down the left field line, to help the Spartan take the lead | 3-2 (Spartans).

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME ONE:

• (W) Feldman (14-1); 7IP, 2KO, 3H, 2ER, 4BB

• (L) Richards (27-8); 6IP, 4KO, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB

• Russo; 2-3, RBI

• Balmer; 1-3, RBI

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME TWO:

Top 1st

Galhouse struggled early, getting caught in a hassle. The Blazer's Proctor then hit an RBI single right field | 1-0 (Spartans). Galhouse then gave up a hit to Macera who singled down the left field line to score Clegg. | 2-0 (Blazers).

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME TWO:

• (W) Lumpp (2-0); 1.2IP, KO, H, BB

• (L) Galhouse (16-9); 7IP, 2KO, 7H, 2R, ER, BB

• Macera; 2-3, RBI

• Proctor; 1-3, RBI

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Spartans finish season ranked second in the SSC; ranked sixth in the nation

• Blazers are 8-3 against the Spartans in the postseason

• Spartans are 6-4 against the Blazers in their 10 matchups